THE BREASTSCREEN NSW VAN IS COMING TO YAMBA, ILUKA & MACLEAN

The mobile screening van will be in Yamba from May 31st, Iluka from June 29th then Maclean from July 6th.

no family history. This is why breast cancer screening is so important for all eligible women.” their GP or health worker without delay.

Park near Ritchies IGA Supermarket in Maclean.

Abig purry thankyou for the nice people who have enquired a er my health. I AM feeling better. BUT, I must ask you; just how MUCH indignity should a magni cent male feline (like me) be subjected to when unwell? Crikey, I de nitely have critical & most vital questions for ‘Mum Jane’. It’s ‘Leemo Cat’ back. I’ve been to the truly ni y Veterinary Surgery once again this week. (Still however, no Frequent Visitor Points Certi cate or even a Gold Star??) It is from the latest visit my most vexatious concerns have emanated. So, whilst snuggled in Mum’s own armchair on my best Plush Blue Blankie, I told her to sit down & focus, ‘just for a change’ because I had questions for her. CRIKEY, she DID sit down whoohoo! ‘Mum, how come I had to have an Ultrasound thingie?

Am I actually a female cat and could be having a kitten ‘cos I understand only females having babies have Ultrasounds?

Could I soon have a ‘Son & Heir’ to the ginormous bag of excellent VET DIET RECOMMENDED biscuits gi ed to me by the nice Vet Surgery?

AND, why did my tummy have to be shaved like I was going in a feline ‘Beautiful Body’ competition to show o my enviable physical condition? And THEN, I had cold slimy stu put on the shaved tummy? Mum, come on; tell me the reality of things ‘cos I am most distressed.

I do not believe, in my current state of health, I am up to, quite frankly, bringing up a kitten as a single Dad. And having to explain to Centrelink when I apply for a Kitten Support Bene t, HOW “I” came to be having a kitten anyhow?’ As most cats will do, I sat and calmly awaited a response to, I believe, most my perspicacious enquiries. Hmmm. It didn’t go as hoped. Mum, then had a sudden attack of something akin to coughing (and, I suspect choking) and ran down the hall to our bathroom. She returned and sat, looking most assiduously interested. Goodie, she will NOW answer my questions. ‘OK, Leems my beloved beautiful boy, just listen OK? NO, you are not having a baby kitten, and if this truly miraculous event does come to pass, you will assuredly feature prominently on the front page of both National Geographic and World Science Publications, become famous and be much sought a er on TV Cat & Scienti c Talk Shows. (Ooooh!)

Leems, I kinda know now Ultrasound Tests can be used to detect many things in cats and humans, not just females expecting babies. I do remember now having one on my sore knee, also on my shoulder another time, and I was most certainly not having a ‘Baby Jane’…oooh, the horror! Your Ultrasound showed an irritation and in ammation in your bladder ‘cos of a Struvite crystal infection. Crystals, kinda like grains the size of salt or ne sand in your urine. ese wee things, can however, cling together & turn into little stones which have created pain for you when you try to pass urine. And, Leems, you had slimy stu put on your shaved tummy so the clever Ultrasound machine could examine your insides more clearly than trying to see through your undeniably thick magni cent u y fur. Gottit?’ Hmmm?

Mum does talk so much gobbledygook at times but I DO KNOW she loves me, and I love her heaps too. Mum & me are going out to sit in the sun and stare at grass now.

Purrsies & hugs, Leemo.

BreastScreen NSW provides free breast screening to women to support the early detection of breast cancer.

Jane Walsh, Director of BreastScreen North Coast, says a regular breast screen is one of the most important things women can do for their health.

“Detecting breast cancer early increases your chance of survival while reducing the likelihood of invasive treatment, such as mastectomy or chemotherapy.

“Around 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have

Jane Walsh, Director of BreastScreen North Coast, says having a BreastScreen NSW van in Yamba, Iluka & Maclean makes it easier for women to attend their recommended twoyearly screening.

“Bringing these vital services to Yamba, Iluka & Maclean means more local women can be screened. Life gets busy and we want women to make their health a priority.”

The BreastScreen NSW van will be located at River Street in front of the Golf Club in Yamba, Denne Street outside the Bowling Club in Iluka & Centenary Drive, Cameron Park Car

An appointment with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes less than 20 minutes and no doctor’s referral is needed.

• All women are invited by BreastScreen NSW to screen every two years from age 50.

• Any woman with a family history of breast cancer should discuss their specific needs with their GP.

The mobile screening van is equipped with a lift system to support women with health conditions or disability to have their mammogram. Women with additional needs are encouraged to let us know when booking their appointment.

• Anyone with breast symptoms should contact

To book a free mammogram with BreastScreen NSW, visit book.breastscreen.nsw. gov.au or call 13 20 50.